Hey, welcome back, everyone. It's the Brian Kilmead Show. We're moving through this Friday, and it's a busy, busy day.

With me in studio, I believe for the first time is my brother, Jim, Jim, why would you come to a place like this?

I had nothing to do this morning. I was just driving around Manhattan. I said, why not? Yeah, because you're excited because tomorrow, the real answer is May 2nd, you open up your brand new season, the American Soccer Club, the NPSL, the league, this will be your second season, you're pumped up. Plus, we've got the World Cup in a month, four or five weeks. So there's a lot of interest in soccer finally. The biggest year of American soccer history, and we've been at almost from the beginning in the 70s when we started down in Long Island. But this is a big year. So tomorrow nights are a big opener, Mitchell Athletic Complex, historic, the most historic soccer facility on Long Island goes way, way back. And so we're pumped up. We're 25, 26 hours away and we can't wait. And then the World Cup follows us, which is nice. Right. So there's some tickets available. So if you want to go see it live, you're also stream the game, right? We stream the game, game and frame broadcasts on our YouTube channel. So you pick it up live stream at 6 p.m. Right. So you're looking to raise the next generation of great players and you have the American Star Club there at Mitchell Field starting May 2nd. So go get your tickets now. If you're in the area, especially you WABC listeners,

uh, players and you have the American Star Club there at Mitchell Field starting May 2nd. So go get your tickets now. If you're in the area, especially you WABC listeners.

But Jim, today we had Alex Lazre on. He is running the New York, New Jersey facility, the Giant Stadium. He's the CEO there. You know, his parents, his family own the Milwaukee Bucks. So he is running this

facility. Here's what he says about what's going on so far and some of the things they're

talking about in terms of affordability, cut 50. What our job is is really to try to provide

affordable and accessible experiences inside and outside the stadium. And one of the things

that makes the World Cup so unique are all the people that are going to be coming here,

not even planning to go to the game of MedLife, but actually just planning to be part of the

World Cup experience. And so last week we announced with the mayor and governor of New York,

the Five Borough free fan experiences at the U.S. Tennis Center, Rock Center, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn. And then also we've also got on the other side of the river in New Jersey. We've got our Jersey fan hub at Sports Illustrated Stadium. And then also a 21 county watch party experience that the governor of New Jersey and I will be announcing in the next few weeks. What do you think? Because you know about marketing. So if you can't get to the game and you don't have $5,000, go to the city. Here's my only problem with it. That's the first time I've heard about it. I'm involved in this thing 24-7. It has not hit the ground. People do not know these opportunities are out there. And they'll be welcomed. And it's still not too late, but they have not gotten the word out yet at all. I mean, I went to the World Cup in 20, at MetLife Stadium. It was then giant stadium. In 94? 94. Italy, Norway. Tailed for three hours before the game, played soccer in the parking lot, had a great time, hung out afterwards. It was fantastic. There's not

going to be any of that this year. But I'm still very bullish about it, but I'd like to see more grassroots activities out there. I mean, the IC had nothing to do. So you were able to hang out for three hours before the game and then hang out after the game? It was a different world. You would never be able to do that now. My phone didn't even have pictures on it. You probably didn't have a phone at all.

So, Jim, give everyone an example of your background. Not only you're a great player through Hofstra or your captain, but you started with the indoor soccer was one's huge. You started with the arrows. And then that's where you met the Light Wickees. That's right. Todd Lightwiki to this day, my mentor. What a great guy. Tim, his brother, what a dynasty. No one never went to college. Mike Rowe would love these guys, but they're the greatest marketers, I think, in American sports, are among them. With the New York arrows, but the Steve Jungle days, we actually increased attendance by trading away all the expensive players and bringing in all local players. Hence what we've done later on with the Rough Riders when you were involved with us and now again with the American Soccer Club. Best Long Island, New York Metro players, put them on the field. I think we could do some damage. Right. So now you did with the Ruff Riders before there was an MLS. And then the MLS launches after the World Cup and now you're coming back with the American Soccer Club. So how is it different from when you launched the Ruff Prize?

Dramatically different. The good news is that Don Garber, MLS, fantastic job, almost on the edge of

collapsing in the European 2000. And now look what we have right now. So great job to elevate the

game. But the youth soccer market and the development of soccer market is probably a bigger

disaster than it's ever been. And there's more kids playing. But it's not producing players. And

right now that's the big conversation that Landon Donovan is leading and others.

Because Land Donovan says, who's one of the greatest American soccer players ever, said

and Tim Howard said the same thing.

And it's pretty much, it's not just soccer.

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